Slow on edit filenames (XP SP2)

In the last month or so, I've found that when trying to edit a filename (I use PowerDesk) that the new names no longer comes up in a reasonable time. Instead I am locked out of the file mgr. while waiting for the new name to appear tho I can switch to other applications. It is probably taking a full minute or maybe more to do this. I'm not sure why it started happening...

Re: Slow on edit filenames (XP SP2)

What happens if you use Windows Explorer?
Do you have any Journalling or Indexing running?
Do you have any real-time virus protection running?
Run TaskManager and monitor CPU activity - what shows when you do a rename?
Have you run a full Chkdsk recently? - if not, it may be a good idea.

Re: Slow on edit filenames (XP SP2)

Thanks Leif. I have some questions and some answers... inline responses follow the dash:

What happens if you use Windows Explorer?
- seemed to be no problem (but I hate it...)

Do you have any Journalling or Indexing running?
- You mean Journaling in Outlook? If so, then No.
- What is Indexing??

Do you have any real-time virus protection running?
- Dunno - how do I check it? Besides that hasn't changed since before this happened. I use Symantec Anti-virus and MS Beta Antispyware - no idea if they are real time, besides...

Run TaskManager and monitor CPU activity - what shows when you do a rename?
- no change at all

Have you run a full Chkdsk recently? - if not, it may be a good idea.
- I use XP, and try to defrag periodically - tho it won't do it on drive C:
- IF I should still do a DOS type chkdsk, how do I do it??

Re: Slow on edit filenames (XP SP2)

OK...
If Win Explorer seems OK, it would tend to point to an issue with PowerDesk. I haven't used it for a while so can't help too much on that front, but does the number of files in the folder make a difference if you are renaming a file? Does it vary from folder to folder?

Indexing: Right-click C: and select properties - you should see an option at the bottom to "Allow Indexing Service..." - this is notorious for slowing down some activities.

Virus checking: Probably not an issue based on your reply.

Chkdsk: Not the same as Defragging. From the Properties window, select the Tools tab, select error checking, and then the option to check at boot-time - see below. (Wth a large drive, this can take some time...)

Re: Slow on edit filenames (XP SP2)

If Win Explorer seems OK, it would tend to point to an issue with PowerDesk. I haven't used it for a while so can't help too much on that front, but does the number of files in the folder make a difference if you are renaming a file? Does it vary from folder to folder?
- I have not noticed such differences. Guess what - Power Desk Explorer is now working more rapidly... (??)

Indexing: Right-click C: and select properties - you should see an option at the bottom to "Allow Indexing Service..." - this is notorious for slowing down some activities.
- Ok, this in My Computer - I turned it off. This worries me as I need fast searches - OFTEN! But I use Power Desk Explorer or Google Desktop -- maybe they do their own indexing??

Chkdsk: Not the same as Defragging.
- I should have said "DiskScan"

From the Properties window, select the Tools tab, select error checking, and then the option to check at boot-time - see below. (Wth a large drive, this can take some time...)
- I see the "hidden" option - it only appears when you tell it to do a DiskScan now... I set it BUT it does not appear any different from what I do manually every 2-5 weeks....